Coventry Christmas lights switch on date revealed...

[dutchman]

It's called 'Under a Sky Full of Stars'



The date for Coventry's Christmas lights switch-on has been revealed.

The annual event is back and ready to celebrate the festive period next month, after people couldn't attend last year.

It has been organised by Coventry City Council and will be hosted by BBC CWR on Wednesday, November 17.

The event, which is called 'Under a Sky Full of Stars', will showcase local music talent from 6.30pm to 7.45pm, and will be under a "glittery canopy of star-themes lights" in Broadgate.

Abdul Salam Khan, the council's deputy leader and cabinet member for events, said: “The annual switch-on event for the Christmas lights is always a popular date in the city’s events calendar and one that people look out for.

"For this year, we are going with a ‘Coventry Stars’ theme giving a stage to celebrate some great local talent in the city, all set within a canopy of sparkling stars in Broadgate and with the support of the Coventry BID, bring festive lighting right across the city centre.

“With last year’s public event having to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 restrictions, we want to bring back the sparkle and fun into the city centre as we all look forward to a wonderful time of the year.”

Free car parking in the city centre is set to provided on Wednesdays from November 17 in the run-up to Christmas and also every day from December 20.

[dutchman]

Hundreds gather in Coventry city centre for Christmas lights switch-on



Coventry residents witnessed eye-catching performances and fireworks at Coventry's annual Christmas lights switch-on.

Hundreds of locals attended the event, hosted by BBC CWR, which saw crowds spread out across the city centre to view the magnificent 'Coventry Stars' theme show on Wednesday evening.

Spark! drummers led a musical drumming parade followed by a line-up of Coventry's local music talents.

Solo artist Levi Washington took to the stage along with traditional choirs and the return of DJ Santa.

Freeman Dance group performed a dance routine to impress the crowd.

Fireworks then lit up the sky in a bright display before the switching on of the lights.

To encourage people to take advantage of late-night shopping in the city centre, the city council will also be offering free parking at certain times in its city centre car parks.

On Wednesdays, people will be able to park for free after 3pm in all council city centre car parks. This offer started on Wednesday, November 17.

People will be able to park for free in all council car parks on Sunday, December 19. This offer is valid between the hours of 8am to 6pm.

In the week before Christmas, people can park for free after 3pm until 9pm in all council car parks, and this offer begins on Monday, December 20.

The ‘Coventry Stars’ Switch On event was organised by Coventry City Council and presented by BBC CWR, with additional funding and support for city centre lighting through the Coventry BID.